Chicago Blackhawks' Artemi Panarin agrees to contract extension

St. Louis Blues Colton Parayko tries to stop Chicago Blackhawks
Artemi Panarin as he walks in for a empty net goal in the third period
at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on December 17, 2016. Chicago
defeated St. Louis 6-4. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

| License Photo

The Chicago Blackhawks and winger Artemi
Panarin have agreed to a contract extension that will keep the rising
star in the Windy City, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

Details of the contract were not immediately
known but the 25-year-old Panarin had been seeking a deal of around $6
million per season.

The extension is expected to be officially announced on Thursday.

Panarin is currently fifth in the league in
points having compiled 15 goals and 22 assists in 37 games. His 37
points are two more than reigning Hart Trophy winner and teammate Patrick Kane.

The Blackhawks signed Panarin prior to the
2015-16 season. He won the Calder Trophy and tied for ninth in the
league in points last season.

Panarin has collected 45 goals and 69 assists and has averaged 0.97 points in his first 117 career NHL regular-season games.